From Jeffrey Epstein to QAnon, Why Do Conspiracies Thrive in Churches?

The Atlantic’s Pete Wehner, Christianity Today’s Emily Belz, and host Curtis Chang dive into QAnon, conspiracy theories, and the MAGA movement’s influence on American politics, culture, and the church. From Donald Trump’s messianic image to the shadows of Jeffrey Epstein, they reveal why conspiracies thrive in times of distrust—and how faith communities can fight back with truth and resilience.

(01:58) - Understanding the QAnon Conspiracy Movement

(04:10) - The Impact of QAnon Beliefs

(10:55) - The Role of Jeffrey Epstein’s Death

(17:13) - Christian Vulnerability to Conspiracy Theories

(25:13) - The History of Christianity and Conspiracies

(30:14) - The Grip of Trump on MAGA

(40:36) - Challenges Facing Church Leadership Today

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Mentioned in this episode:

• Emily Belz: How QAnon Lives On Under Trump 2.0
• Pete Wehner: Trump Discovers MAGA Has No ‘Off’ Switch
• Wired: All The Times Kash Patel Promoted QAnon
• FOX News: AG Pam Bondi on Epstein files: 'The public has a right to know' (March 3)
• Politico: Outraged Trump supporters not placated by DOJ’s actions on Epstein
• New York Times: Trump Embraces Conspiracy Theories He Only Winked at Before
• Life Way Research: 50% of U.S. Protestant Pastors Hear Conspiracy Theories in Church
• American Enterprise Institute: Findings from the January 2021 American Perspectives Survey
• Nicholas Carr's The Shallows
• More about Historical Antisemetic Conspiracies: Blood Libel
• More about William Miller & the Millerites

More from Emily Belz & Pete Wehner:

• Emily Belz’s article at Christianity Today
• Pete Wehner’s articles at The Atlantic

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Faithful Actions and a Blueprint for Societal Healing

Former Ohio Governor John Kasich joins Curtis Chang on the Good Faith Podcast to share how character, faith, and even suffering shape real leadership in a divided America. Drawing from the Governor’s new book Heaven Help Us, he and Curtis unpack why objective truth matters more than ever, how faith communities and neighborhoods can spark real change, and why grassroots action beats toxic politics every time. The conversation explores the power of authentic relationships and faith-driven hope to help fix what’s broken in our neighborhoods and our country.

(00:01) - Finding Faith Amid Suffering and Service

(08:31) - Character, Faith, and Political Analysis

(19:20) - Community Engagement and Faith-Based Action

(32:51) - Inspiring Faith Communities and Hope

Send written questions or voice memos for “Ask Curtis” episodes to: [email protected]

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Governor Kasich’s book Heaven Help Us: How Faith Communities Inspire Hope, Strengthen Neighborhoods, and Build the Future
• Ernie Johnson’s Thoughts On the 2016 Election (starting at 4:05)
• Different versions of the scripture about Job and his friends
• Read about Helmut Thielecke
• Audio Archives featuring Helmut Thielicke
• A theological unpacking of Romans 8:28
• Books by Tremper Longman
• Tim Keller’s Gospel in Life website
• The history of the Vineyard Church in America
• Learn more about Convoy of Hope

More from Governor John Kasich:

• Governor Kasich’s website
• Governor Kasich’s book Every Other Monday: Twenty Years of Life, Lunch, Faith, and Friendship
• Governor Kasich’s book Courage Is Contagious: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things To Change The Face Of America

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Suffering’s Transformative Power in Faith and Mental Health

What if suffering isn’t the enemy—but the doorway to beauty, connection, and hope? Psychiatrist Dr. Curt Thompson joins host Curtis Chang for a raw and redemptive conversation on how pain, anxiety, and fear of abandonment shape our lives and our faith. Grounded in both Scripture and neuroscience, this episode challenges the myths we carry about control and invites us into deeper attachment with God and others.

(00:01) - Exploring Suffering and Transformation

(11:30) - Exploring Suffering and Connection

(12:45) - The Object of God’s Glory and the Object of God’s Wrath

(25:09) - Embracing Suffering With Community and Compassion

(36:57) - Inviting Healing and Transformation Through Suffering

Drawing upon material from a past conversation, this episode provides ideas about emotional resilience and spiritual formation through suffering.

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Dr. Thompson's The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope
• Dr. Thompson's Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections Between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships
• C.S. Lewis’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
• C.S. Lewis’s The Weight of Glory

Scripture mentioned in this episode:

• Read Mark 10:35-40 (ESV) - Jesus’ question to James and John
• Read Genesis 2:16-18 (ESV) - God tells the man He will surely die
• Read Genesis 1-3 (ESV) - The narrative of creation and fall, as the origins of suffering
• Read John 1:14 (ESV) - Jesus is God’s glory
• Read Psalm 22 (ESV) - The Psalm quoted by Jesus in the Gethsemane

More from Dr. Curt Thompson:

• Dr. Thompson’s website
• Dr. Thompson’s The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves
• Dr. Thompson’s The Soul of Desire: Discovering the Neuroscience of Longing, Beauty, and Community

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Finding Common Ground in a Divided World

What can strife in Israel and Palestine teach us about America’s own political polarization? Host Curtis Chang sits down with conflict resolution expert Nathan Stock of the Carter Center to explore some of the hard truths from Middle East—and the surprising parallels here at home. From media-fueled division to the hope for bipartisan breakthroughs, Curtis and Nathan unpack how deep-rooted conflict forms—and offer pathways to bring healing and hope.

(00:01) - Navigating Conflict in the Middle East

(14:05) - Lessons from Northern Ireland and South Africa

(16:42) - Building Hope for Conflict Resolution

(25:18) - Different Brain Types and Polarization

(26:30) - Bridging Political Divides to Further U.S. Unity

(39:27) - Building Community Through Shared Stories

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Summary: The "Six Day War" of 1967 (U.S. Dept. of State)
• Overview: October 7, 2023 and the Israel/Hamas Conflict (U.S. Congress)
• An Explanation of The Geneva Conventions and their Commentaries (The Red Cross)
• An Explanation of The Good Friday Agreement (Associated Press)
• Remembering The Breakup of Yugoslavia (U.S. Office of the Historian)
• Abstract: Shared neural representations and temporal segmentation of political content predict ideological similarity (Science Advances)
• John R. Hibbing, Kevin B. Smith, & John R. Alford’s book Predisposed: The Left, The Right, and The Biology of Political Differences
• NPR Poll: Most feel democracy is threatened and political violence is a major problem

The Carter Center’s Conflict Work:

• Nathan Stock’s article: There’s a new silent majority — and they need to be activated
• The Carter Center’s Democracy Program
• The Carter Center’s Conflict Resolution Program
• The Carter Center’s Conflict Resolution Reports

More In Common Studies:

• Listening Across Difference:  What Americans feel, fear, and want to learn
• Interpreting young Americans’ views on government, the Constitution, and the appeal of authoritarian alternatives​
• The Connection Opportunity: Insights for Bringing Americans Together Across Difference

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Empathy and Empowerment in Economic Challenges

What if economic justice isn’t about charity—but solidarity and investment? Harvard MBA Giselle Garraway shares how she left corporate America to found ThriveFunds, a platform that empowers working poor families with dignity-centered investments in their everyday lives. From a street sweeper chasing dreams of restoring a broken family to a working mom caring for both her husband and aging parents, Curtis and Gisele uncover how small, targeted support and investments can transform lives—and shift hearts across economic lines. They explore systemic setbacks and challenge some of the myths of meritocracy while asking: what does it truly mean to love your neighbor today?

(00:01) - Introduction

(02:48) - Gisele Garraway’s Story and Work

(12:42) - Investing in Working Families

(19:55) - Building Bridges Across Economic Divides

(36:15) - Systemic Aspects of Government Benefits and Poverty

(47:35) - Embodying Human Solidarity in Community

(56:11) - Credits

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Matthew Desmond’s Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
• Matthew Desmond’s Poverty, by America 
• Gallup Study: 50% in U.S. Fear Bankruptcy Due to Major Health Event
• USA Today: The average American is closer to being homeless than being Elon Musk
• The United Way’s research on Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed Americans
• Richard Rothstein’s The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
• Tom Holland’s Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s Strength to Love

Scripture Passages About Caring for the Poor:

• Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV)
• Psalm 146:5-7 (ESV)
• 1 John 3:17-18 (ESV)
• Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (ESV)
• James 2:15-17 (ESV)
• Isaiah 58:6-11; 13-14 (ESV)

More about ThriveFunds:

• Learn More about ThriveFunds
• Explore ThriveFunds model and Four Categories of Service
• Be Encouraged by ThriveFunds podcast
• Bio: Gisele Garraway

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Is Superman Woke—or Just Wonderfully Human?

Can a superhero cut through the world’s chaos better than a political debate or another sermon? New York Times columnist David French and Christianity Today editor-in-chief Russell Moore explore why Superman still strikes a cultural nerve—especially in the age of outrage and “wokeness” debates. From his immigrant origins to the often-overlooked theme of adoption, they unpack how James Gunn’s 2025 reboot revives timeless questions about identity, belonging, moral courage, and kindness. This conversation is more than capes and kryptonite—it’s a surprising, thoughtful, and even fun look at the stories shaping who we are.

(00:00) - Exploring the Resonance of Superhero Myths

(07:24) - Fun That Connects To Deeper Needs

(10:10) - A Jewish Immigrant’s Myth

(15:40) - Exploring James Gunn’s Superman 2025

(23:06) - Is Superman Woke? 

(27:04) - Kindness as a Countercultural Value

(34:11) - Parenting With Superheroes and Morals

(51:09) - Credits

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Russell Moore’s article Why Superman Matters
• David French’s column Kindness Is MAGA Kryptonite
• J.R.R. Tolkien’s On Fairy Stories
• J.R.R. Tolkien’s eucatastrophe (an essay)
• C.S. Lewis’ “True Myth”: The Myth That Became Fact
• C.S. Lewis’ Reviews of Lord of the Rings (veil of familiarity)
• Grant Morrison’s Super Gods
• Official Trailer: Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
• Sonny Bunch’s article How to Decide If You Want to Watch ‘Superman’
• A short interview with Superman’s creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (video)
• Übermensch Explained: the Meaning of Nietzsche’s ‘Superman’
• The Times interview James Gunn: Some people will take offence at my new Superman
• Read Deuteronomy 17:16-17 (NLT)
• Social Commentary in The Office
• Wonder Woman vol. 5 Annual #1 Batman & Superman share their real names (video)
• Relevant Magazine: What the Superman Backlash Says About American Masculinity

More From David French:

• David French’s New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

More From Russell Moore:

• Sign up for Russell Moore’s weekly newsletter Moore to the Point
• Listen to The Russell Moore Show (podcast)

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What Role Does Jordan Peterson Play in Shaping Young Men's Views on Masculinity?

Host Curtis Chang teams up with “founding friend” and New York Times columnist David French to unpack David’s recent conversation with Jordan Peterson—and the crisis facing young men today. From mental health struggles to educational decline, David and Curtis take a hard look at what’s shaping young male identity in modern America, including the outsized influence of figures like Peterson. They explore how political polarization, digital culture, and a loss of purpose are driving young men to extremes. Most importantly, they offer a redemptive vision: practical ways to cultivate virtuous masculinity through mentorship, community, and spiritual formation.

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• David’s column What’s the Matter With Men?
• David French appears on Jordan Peterson’s podcast
• Urban and Rural numbers on "Deaths of Despair" (NIH)
• The Widening Gender Gap
• Reflections: Men Without Chests (from C.S. Lewis’ The Abolition of Man)
• Admiral William H. McRaven’s 2014 Commencement Address 
• Of Boys and Men: A Conversation with Richard Reeves
• Richard Reeves’ Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It

More From David French:

• David French’s New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

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Teen Anxiety Is Skyrocketing—How Can Parents and Churches Help?

Anxiety is overwhelming today’s teens—and Curtis Chang knows the struggle firsthand. Joined by “founding friend” David French and Dr. Kara Powell of the Fuller Youth Institute, this deep dive into the mental health crisis facing our youth, exposes the pressure-cooker of social media, why parenting style matters, and why anxiety and depression continue to rise. If you're tired of hand-wringing and ready for hope-filled action, this conversation delivers clarity, challenge, and compassion.

Drawing upon material from a past conversation, this episode seeks to empower parents to help the next generation to navigate anxiety with faith and community.

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The work of the Fuller Youth Institute 
• The Fuller Youth Institute’s Sticky Faith
• Fuller Youth Institute’s Faith in an Anxious World 
• Jonathan Haidt: The Dangerous Experiment on Teen Girls
• CDC: Depression Prevalence in Adolescents and Adults: U.S., Aug '21–Aug '23
• New York times: What Social Media Does to the Teen Brain
• Angela Duckworth’s The Good Life Project
• Angela Duckworth’s Research
• Lisa DaMour’s work and books
• Scott Cormode profile at Fuller Seminary
• Springtide Research Institute

More From Kara Powell:

• Dr. Powell’s TheoED Talk: 3 Big Questions that Change Every Young Person
• Dr. Powell on instagram
• Dr. Powell on X (formerly Twitter)

More From David French:

• David French’s New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

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Navigating Spiritual Disruption, Denominational Shifts, and Starting Over

What happens when your spiritual home no longer fits—and life threatens to spiral? Curtis Chang and bestselling author and speaker Beth Moore get real about the realities of spiritual resets, mental health struggles, and finding gospel-centered hope in unexpected places. This timely episode explores how disruption can open the door to renewal, even when a spiritual reset is unwelcome.

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Barna: Five Trends Defining Americans’ Relationship to Churches (2020)
• ChurchTrac: The State of Church Attendance: Trends and Statistics (2025)
• Millennial Church Attendance and Trends According to Barna Research
• Medical News Today: What to know about PTSD and bipolar disorder
• 1 Corinthians 13 (NLT & AMP)
• Philippians 2 (NLT & AMP)

More From Beth Moore:

• Living Proof Ministries
• Beth Moore’s All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir
• Beth Moore’s catalog of books

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Finding the Biblical Ruth and Boaz In Today’s Culture of Confusion

What does an ancient love story have to say about modern chaos? Host Curtis Chang and Good Faith contributor Andy Crouch dive into the Book of Ruth to uncover radical lessons on redemption, loyalty, and faithfulness that challenge today’s culture of individualism and spiritual mobility. From Naomi’s grief to Ruth’s fierce commitment and Boaz’s redemptive actions, Andy and Curtis explore how acts of devotion can disrupt systems of power and reshape community. Discover how an old story can offer fresh vision for navigating displacement, hospitality, and purpose in our fractured world.

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Book of Ruth (ESV)
• Rachael Starke’s Boys will be Boaz (TGC article)
• Judges 19-20 (ESV) - the Levite’s concubine
• N.T. Wright explains Scripture as narrative (video) 
• Understanding the Hebrew word hesed
• Understanding gleaning in the story of Ruth
• The role of and the ultimate kinsman-redeemer

More From Andy Crouch:

• Interact with Andy’s website
• Check out Andy’s work at Praxis
• Read Andy’s book: The Life We're Looking For
• Read Andy’s book: The Tech-Wise Family

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